BLACK KARMA

26 March 2018

A great champ, an amazing driver, a true athlete, but a little too arrogant for my taste. During the post-qualifying press gathering, Hamilton replied to a remark from Vettel with a killing expression, similar to those powerful exchanges between boxers at the official weight compare.

This time, the boys in contention did not wear shorts and high belts, but sat comfortably at the Melbourne Grand Prix conference table in front of microphones and a captive audience.“I did that quick lap to wipe the smile off your face” exited Hamilton with a sharp “verbal hook”. Vettel had nothing else to do but take the blow, quickly followed by another sip from his drink bottle to cool down throat and rage at the same time. In Formula One, pole position is a prestige target, but it gets you no more than a few meters’ advantage on the tarmac and a record mark in the hall of fame. Liberty has made a few changes to the sport, but not the one which awards points to the fastest man on Saturday.

For this, Lewis started his first GP of his 2018 season at level zero, like Sebastian and all of the other eighteen drivers on the grid. Victory, podium and points are released on Sunday and this is law, religion and hope.

Race day came, of course, and brought with it just enough of Hamilton’s karma to give Vettel the best facial expression he could possibly hope for. I say the Brit will keep that kind of ugly stuff for himself next time, right?